TOURBILLON SQUELETTE

In 2007 Officine Panerai launched the P.2005 movement, a sophisticated hand-wound calibre with an innovative interpretation of the tourbillon regulator, distinguished by a simple but revolutionary insight which makes the movement unique. The traditional regulator rotates the balance-escapement assembly continuously on itself, to correct position errors caused by gravity and possible friction: this is a particular problem with pocket watches, for which the tourbillon was invented, but it also affects wristwatches. In the innovative Panerai tourbillon, however, the cage which contains the balance and escapement rotates on an axis which is perpendicular to that of the balance, rather than parallel, and it rotates once every 30 seconds instead of the traditional 60 seconds. This construction compensates for running errors in a more effective manner and thus provides more accurate time measurement.

The tourbillon regulator, in its elegant and spectacular P.2005/S skeletonised version, is the protagonist of a timepiece of very high technical content: the Pocket Watch Tourbillon GMT Ceramica, a model which pays tribute to the long history of Officine Panerai. The pocket watch played a part in this history at the end of the 19th century, when the Orologeria founded by Giovanni Panerai in Florence displayed on its shelves numerous examples of these watches created by the main Swiss makers.

POCKET WATCH TOURBILLON GMT CERAMICA – 59mm

Officine Panerai presents the Pocket Watch Tourbillon GMT Ceramica, an exclusive pocket watch which combines echoes of the past and the innovative technical content of contemporary haute horlogerie in an original and fascinating way.

The Pocket Watch Tourbillon GMT Ceramica is the first pocket watch from Officine Panerai but there are precedents for it in the history of the brand. The inscription “Pocket watches by the main Swiss makers” appeared on the window of Orologeria Panerai in Florence since the start of its activities, but the Panerai “Workshop of Ideas” has never been limited solely to selling and, already by the start of the 20th century, it was creating for the military authorities of the Royal Italian Navy a series of timers.

The new Pocket Watch Tourbillon GMT Ceramica consists of a Radiomir case 59 mm in diameter in ceramic made from zirconium oxide, inside which is the P.2005/S hand-wound movement with tourbillon regulator. Twelve rods link the case to the movement, which looks as if it is suspended in the centre, with its skeletonised dial and the sapphire crystal which is fitted in the ceramic back. The same supports, covered in ecru Super-LumiNova®, act as linear hour markers, emphasising the quintessential design and advanced technical aspects of the watch.

The comprehensive work of skeletonising reveals the sophisticated technical details which distinguish the P.2005/S calibre, produced entirely in the Officine Panerai manufacture in Neuchâtel: the three spring barrels which create a power reserve of six days, readable by means of an indicator mounted on the back of the watch; the various finishes of the components, a large proportion of which are blackened by galvanic treatment; and above all the characteristic Panerai tourbillon cage which, to compensate better for running errors due to gravity, makes two rotations per minute on an axis perpendicular to that of the balance. A small ecru disc mirrors the rotation of the tourbillon, making two turns per minute in the small seconds dial placed at nine o’clock.

Also made of black ceramic is the chain, attached to the case by a skeleton device shaped like the characteristic bridge that protects the winding crown of the Panerai Luminor, and easily removable by pressing on a small button. The single links, the shape of which is inspired by that of a nautical chain, are linked by universal joints which ensure great resistance and at the same time provide the maximum flexibility. Once the chain has been removed, the watch can then be transformed into a table clock by using the special support, also inspired by the shape of the bridge, which holds the case and can also contain the chain, removed from the watch, inside it.

The Pocket Watch Tourbillon GMT Ceramica (PAM00446) is an exclusive Special Edition created in only 50 units. As is traditional with the brand, this pocket watch is also water-resistant and guaranteed to a pressure of 3 bar (30 metres).